Aldon Smith, a former NFL defensive end and linebacker widely known for his early-career pass-rushing dominance with the San Francisco 49ers, passed away on Saturday at the age of 36 in San Jose, California.
No cause of death has been disclosed as of this report.
“We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith. Aldon’s undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen,” the San Francisco 49ers said in a statement.
“Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into. Our entire organization sends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon.”
The 49ers mourn the passing of former LB Aldon Smith.
📰 https://t.co/gVxEEdWtLp pic.twitter.com/UfAJmyI5Rp
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) June 13, 2026
Born on September 25, 1989, in Greenwood, Mississippi, and raised in the Kansas City area, Smith attended Raytown High School in Raytown, Missouri. There, he excelled on both sides of the ball, recording notable defensive statistics as a senior while also contributing as a tight end on offense.
He then committed to the University of Missouri, where he redshirted in 2008 before emerging as a starter in 2009. He recorded 60 tackles and 11 sacks that season, earning Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors and first-team Freshman All-American recognition.
In 2010, he played in nine games with 48 tackles and six sacks before declaring for the NFL Draft after his sophomore year.
Selected seventh overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2011 NFL Draft, Smith quickly established himself as one of the best pass rushers in the league. As a rookie, he appeared in all 16 games without starting and posted 37 tackles and 14 sacks—setting a 49ers rookie record and coming within half a sack of the NFL rookie sack mark. He earned PFWA All-Rookie honors and finished second in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
In 2012, as a full-time starter, Smith delivered a breakout season with 19.5 sacks, which was good for the 49ers franchise record. He soon became the fastest player to reach 30 career sacks and earned First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections.
Smith was a key contributor on the 49ers squad that reached Super Bowl XLVII. Over four seasons with San Francisco (2011–2014), he accumulated 44 sacks in 50 games, ranking among the franchise’s career leaders at the time.
Smith’s later career was affected by off-field challenges and suspensions. He signed with the Oakland Raiders in 2015, where he recorded 3.5 sacks in nine games before a suspension.
After sitting out for three seasons, Smith signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, where he played in 16 games and returned to a solid level of NFL production with 5.5 sacks. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021 but was released in the preseason.
Smith ultimately played a total of six NFL seasons across five teams, finishing with 52.5 career sacks, 228 tackles, and one interception.
After his playing career concluded, Smith focused on personal recovery and helping others. He achieved sobriety starting in late 2021 and worked as a recovery coach and mentor before ultimately founding Intelligent Movement, where he offered recovery coaching, speaking, and mentorship services.
Smith served as a rookie mentor for teams including the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars, for whom he emphasized mental health and lessons from his experiences. In 2023, following his release from jail on unrelated matters, he stated he was done with football and concentrated on these post-career activities.
